John w



(No Model.)

J. W. LIEB.

TRAVELING BAG.

No. 284,446. Patented Sept. 4, 14883;

I v INVICNTUR 714 424 3 7 ifim N, Firms. Pbolo-Ulhographor. Wnhingwn. o.c.

UNITED STATES V PATENT 1 OFFICE.

JOHN w. LI'EB, or NEWARK, new" JERSEY.-

V TRAVELING-BAG.

sPEcI'rIcA'r'ioiv forming of Letters Patent No. 284,446, dated September 4,1883; Application filed my 5, 1883. (1 model.)

.To aZZ whom it may conceiffil Be it known that I, J oriN W. LIEB, of New- V ark, in the State of New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Traveling-Bags, of

5 which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of traveling-bags whichare constructed with two hinged I jaws or frame-sections at the top.

. The object of the invention is to provide a to simple and reliable device whereby the jaws of the bag may be locked automatically in an open position, the device to be located within the bag.

To this end it consists in a locking-dog lo- I 5 cated on the inside of one of the jaws, and

arranged to engage with a shoulder or plate on the opposite jaw. j The invention also consists in matters of minor importance, which will be hereinafter more fully represented in detail.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of abag having my improvement applied in its preferred form, thebag being shown in an open position. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line as x of Fi 3.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the device on.

the line 3 y of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the end plate with which the catch engages, the plate being viewed from 0 both sides. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the locking device in a modified form. Fig. 6 is an inside face view of the same, with one end of the locking-spring broken'away. Fig. 7 is an inside face view of the device, having the 35, dog arranged to slide endwise, the casing being shown in section. Fig. 8is atop plan view of the same.

Referring to Fig. 1, A represents the body of the bag, and B O the two jaws, attached to .40 the body and hinged together at the center, as

shown at a, to open and close in the ordinary .manner. E represents a 1ocking-dog, one end of which is pivoted at 1) within a covering ;plate or cap, G, which latter is secured firmly to the inner face of the inner jaw,-]3. The opposite end of the dog, which has an internal thumb-piece by which to move it, is also pro vided with an outwardly-extending lip or shoulder, 0, arranged to swing through an opening in the side of the jaw B, as shown,

for the purpose of engaging in anotch or shoulder, g, formed ina plate, D, which is secured to the opposite jaw, O, as shown. The plate D is made of the form represented in Fig. 4, with the notch or shoulder in one end. It is" 5 5 adapted for application to the outside of the jaw O in such manner as to cover the joint and the end of the jaw, and thus serve, in addition to its function as a locking device,the purpose of the ordinary covering plate or cap usually applied on the outside of the joint to give a finish to the frame. The swinging latch or dog E is urged outward by means of a spiral spring, I, located within the cap or covering-plate G, and bearing against the dog, as plainly represented in Figs. 2 and 3. When the bag is in a closed position, the nose or shoulder of the locking-dog E bears against the inner fiat face of the plate 1) and is inoperative. In the act of opening the bag, however, the movement of the jaws with respect to each other causes the notch or shoulder in the plate D to be brought opposite the nose of the dog, which is caused to immediately engage therein bythe action of the spring, asshown in Figs. 1, 2, 75 and 3, the dog thus engaged serving to hold the jaws in an open or extended position. The release of the jaws is effected by simply drawing the dog inward. It will be observed as a peculiarity of myconstruction that the 89 locking device is located wholly within the bag, so that it is protected from injury and concealed ordinarily from sight; also,that the manner inwhichthe dog is applied avoids the necessity of changing the construction or of cutting and weakening the same in an objectionable manner. It will also be observed that a dog Toperateduponmy plan may be applied to existing frames of the ordinary pattern.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a slightly-modified form of the locking device. In this device the external cap D, is similar to that illustrated in the preceding figures. The locking-dog, however, instead of being pivoted, consists of 5 an elastic plate riveted at one end securely to the inside of the jaw B, and provided at the opposite end with a nose or shoulder, G, to engage with the plate D. When the bag is open, the dog engages in the same manner as IOC in the preceding case. It is released by simply urging the spring inward, so as to withdraw the shoulder or point from engagement with the plate D.

Referring to the device represented in Figs.

7 and 8, it will be perceived that the lockingbolt is arranged to slide lengthwise in one of the jaws and to engage at its inner or forwardend beneath a shoulder on the opposite jaw. The bolt is mounted within and guided by a suitable inclosing-case secured to the frame IO and containing a spiral spring, which acts to throw the bolt forward. A projecting ear or lug formed on the side of the bolt and extending through the slot in the side of its case serves as a means by which it' may be readily retracted.

The essence of my invention consists in arranging an automatic locking device inside of the bag. While it 'is preferred to usea device which swings laterally in the manner described,

it is obvious that a sliding dog or catch actuated by a spring may be employed, and that this sliding dog may move in any direction desired, provided, only, that it is adapted to interlock with the two jaws and hold them in an open position.

7 Various modifications of the details will suggest themselves to any skilled mechanic in view of the foregoing description and drawings.

The present invention is restricted to those matters and things which are hereinafter claimed; and as to all matters which may be described or shown, but which are not claimed,

the right is reserved to make the same the subject of a separate application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination with the jaws of atraveling-bag, an internal automatic dog applied to one of said jaws, substantially as described, and adapted to engage with the other.

.2. In combination with the jaws B O of a traveling-bag, pivoted to each other, an internally-applied dog upon one jaw, and a plate applied to the opposite jawand adapted-t0 interlock with the dog, substantially as described. 4 5

3. In a traveling-bag, the combination,with a locking device applied to one jaw, of an external plate, D,'applied to the opposite jaw, and adapted, as described, to serve the twofold purpose of covering the joint or-hinge and 50 of engaging with the locking-dog.

4.. The jaws of a carpet-bag, an internallyapplied dog mounted upon one of said jaws and urged outward by a spring, in combination with a locking-shoulder carried by the opposite jaw.

5; The combination of the jaws B G,the pivoted dog E, case G, the spiral spring, and a locking-plate, D.

JOHN W. LIEB.

Witnesses:

J. F. KUHN, HENRY SoHorPE. 

